Merry Christmas!

Away from our families, Christmas was very different this year. We're blessed to have been invited as honorary family to Maria Elena's house. We spend many Friday nights there cooking, talking, and eating. Much to Maria Elena's joy and surprise, the boss of the house, her husband, invited us to their Christmas dinner.

Maria Elena made sure everyone had a smile on their face and food on their plate.

One of the guys taught us a bit of cumbia dancing. Luckily for me, it wasn't too difficult.

We ate and talked and ate and talked and ate.

Dinner didn't start until after 11pm. At midnight everyone toasted, and we went up to the roof to watch the fireworks. Never before have I seen so many going off at once. The sky was filled with bottle rockets, floating lanterns, and artillery shells. Amazing.





We got a ride home from our new uncle Roberto. The neighbors were all partying away at 4 am and promised to continue until the sun came up. Our stomachs were full, our hearts content, and we were ready to sleep. We woke to more 90-degree weather and live tango music coming from next door. A very merry Christmas indeed!

Check out Sarah's version of the story in her blog post: A Christmas to Remember